For those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of downtown San Fran, Cavallo Point represents the perfect haven. Situated halfway between the city and nearby Sausalito, the resort enjoys sumptuous views of the famous bridge and offers guests access to an array of exciting onsite amenities and impeccable customer service. Sharpen your culinary skills with a cookery class, rejuvenate your mind and body with a spa treatment or simply reconnect with nature in the resort’s expansive green spaces.

The close proximity of two outstanding National Parks in the shape of Yellowstone and Grand Teton mean there are plenty of stunning landscapes and unique wildlife to admire, while the region is not short on adrenaline-fuelled activities, either. In summer, you can explore the outback on foot, horseback, by boat or even via hot-air balloon. Meanwhile, the colder months draw winter sports aficionados, with plenty of skiing and snowboarding opportunities set against a breath-taking backdrop that simply isn’t to be missed.

For the perfect complement to this pastoral paradise, check in to the Magee Homestead for an adults-only ranch experience. Situated inside a 30,000-acre cattle farm, this all-inclusive resort is the place to indulge in supreme relaxation and rejuvenation. As well as guided tours of the surrounding farmland and forestry areas, there is also a comprehensive spa and wellness centre, rifle range and a top-class restaurant serving delicious farm-to-fork delicacies. Meanwhile, each log cabin is lavishly decked out, creating the ultimate in bucolic luxury.

To really take advantage of an outback experience, stay at Clayoquot Wilderness Resort tucked deep in the heart of the island. This eco-style safari lodge is reached by floatplane and boasts just 25 luxuriously equipped tents, creating a unique environment in which to relax and recharge. As remarkable as it is remote, this breath-taking resort offers once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to take part in a full range of hinterland activities on a daily basis, while the culinary artisans employed onsite mean you won’t want for the finest food, even in the middle of all that rugged splendour.

For an exclusive hotel in an ideal location, stay at the Four Seasons Downtown on the fringes of the world-famous TriBeCa neighbourhood. The spacious suites at this prestigious landmark make excellent use of natural light, allowing the sun’s rays to flow in during the daytime and gifting visitors a remarkable vista over the City That Never Sleeps. With an a la carte restaurant helmed by celebrated chef Wolfgang Puck and an entire floor given over to its health and wellness centre, you might even be tempted not to leave the hotel at all.

–

The Quintessential touch

Through our dedicated team of travel experts all over the globe, we’re personally acquainted with the cultural and culinary hotspots of all the cities and townships featured above, meaning we’re best-placed to create a bespoke holiday experience geared towards your particular interests. What’s more, we hold VIP Preferred Partner status with all of the finest hotels in each locale, meaning you can enjoy excellent facilities, impeccable service and all those little extras and benefits which are instrumental in getting the most out of your time away. For more information about the luxury travel services we provide, get in touch with Quintessentially Travel today.

–

Four Seasons New York Downtown

At Four Seasons New York Downtown, making sure guests can relax and stay balanced is a core part of every stay. The property, a five minute walk from the World Trade Center, is the perfect example of how to do wellness.

“Finding balance throughout a potentially overindulgent vacation can relieve the feeling of guilt and exhaustion when returning home,” explains Tara Cruz, the hotel’s Senior Spa Director. “On the other hand, business travelers may seek a feeling of normalcy or, even better, an enhanced sense of well-being throughout their commute.”

Cruz explains that there are four pillars of travel wellness: spa and fitness; food and beverage; lifestyle; and sleep. That’s a challenge in a property found in one of the busiest parts of one of the most bustling cities on the planet. Yet there’s no denying that Four Seasons are leading the way for customers looking to be at their best while they’re away.

The spa here is nothing short of incredible. Situated on the third floor, it oozes calm from the second the elevator door opens.

“All treatments are thoughtfully customized to our guest needs, leaving them feeling inspired and even spiritually charged afterwards,” says Cruz.

During our stay, we indulge in the aromatherapy experience, with staff helping us mix our own relaxing blend of oils before taking the table to ease off the kinks of a long day’s work in the city. It does the trick, the aches and kinks of time spent rushing around New York replaced by a sense of utter relaxation.

Back in our room, staff have laid out essential oils and rose petals for a bath. And after a blissful night’s sleep, the in–room breakfast, with a focus on healthy eating, ensures we leave fully recharged the following morning.

Four Seasons Silicon Valley

This approach is something Four Seasons has taken on across its properties around the world. At its Silicon Valley outpost it has teamed up with Tonal, a Bay Area technology company, to install all–in–one fitness system and personal trainer in selected rooms, meaning busy guests can get their fitness fix without having to go down to the gym. Guests can also request a Peloton bike, Streamline treadmill, stretch ball, yoga mat and more to be placed in their room upon demand. The property also features a fitness center redesigned in consultation with Harley Pasternak; and mindful tips and heart-healthy menu items by wellness consultant and author Yvonne Tally.

“These additions to the guest experience promote holistic well-being and productivity,” says Florian Riedel, General Manager of the downtown Palo Alto hotel. “Those who want to maintain their personal wellness while travelling can do so through these multi-layered offerings, giving guests opportunities to be more balanced and focused as they go about their trip.”

The wellness trend isn’t just focused on indoor activities however. The increasing urge for guests to reconnect with their surroundings when taking time out of busy schedules is also a key part of the wellbeing renaissance.

Aristi Mountain Resort and Villas

At Aristi Mountain Resort and Villas in the remote, mountainous region of Zagori in western Greece, a focus on outdoor wellbeing has seen business boom.

“Our guests are passionate about the outdoors,” says Vasilis Iosifidis, Aristi’s owner. “The resort and surrounding Zagori region enables guests to pursue these interests with trekking, hiking and water rafting right on the property’s doorstep.”

“We are also aware of the importance of wellbeing and offer guests the chance to take part in yoga lessons by the beautiful Voidomatis River and we recently opened an outdoor spa experience which is proving extremely popular.”

It could be easy to dismiss the growth in wellness as a fad. But as guests demand to feel relaxed from the moment they check in, its importance to the luxury travel sector shows no signs of diminishing. 

Your path to pioneering the ecotourism movement started in Kenya, why did this experience set you on the journey you have taken?

I was working as an assistant on a Harvard wildlife study in northern Kenya when I found myself witness to a booming safari industry that was making faraway investors wealthy, while locals living closest to the wildlife that tourism depended upon were left struggling in poverty. Things reached a boiling point when angry villagers tried to burn down the safari lodge near my research camp. That was more than 30 years ago and the experience convinced me that a new model for tourism was needed. I thought to myself that if local villagers’ lives were directly improved by tourism then they would become partners in protecting endangered species. My interest shifted from being a wildlife biologist to creating a blueprint for a new vision of tourism as a catalyst to help save nature and alleviate poverty. That vision crystallized when a small group of about a dozen of us gathered from around the world with similar ideals and officially defined ecotourism for the first time in 1991 as, “Responsible travel to natural areas that protects nature and sustains the well being of local people.” With that, the global ecotourism movement was born.

What are some of the most important conservation lessons to emerge in the past 20 years?

The single most important lesson to emerge in conservation over the past two decades is this: Unless the people who live closest to what you want to protect become your partners, then conservation will forever be an uphill battle. But when local communities see conservation of nature as directly connected to improving their own livelihoods, such as through ecotourism jobs, they become the most important allies in saving wildlife and protecting natural areas on land and sea.

Who are your conservation heroes?

Jane Goodall is a true conservation icon – both in the pragmatic sense of what needs to be done to save our planet and through inspiration on how we can each make a positive difference. The last time I was with Jane, she had just turned 80 years old and she suggested we grab a drink at the bar during an event. I asked her what she would like and she went for a whiskey straight up. That’s Jane. Never underestimate her. She is as tough as nails and yet full of compassion. My other conservation hero is Dr. Sylvia Earle. Conservationists refer to Sylvia as “Her Deepness” for all of the time she has spent beneath the surface of the ocean. She is a tireless crusader for protecting marine life. To be in the presence of either of these two amazing women is to be humbled and inspired.

–

Your company, Beyond Green Travel is founded on transforming travel to make it a more powerful force for good, how can we achieve this?

The first thing we can all do is to understand that each of our travel choices makes a huge difference. I also believe that as we come through the coronavirus crisis, we will find more and more people seeking to travel in a responsible and caring way. Before booking with a travel company or a hotel, I like to ask three key questions: Can you provide me with an example of how your company is working to address climate change? I look for responses like eliminating single use plastics, which use a huge amount of fossil fuels, or sourcing supplies locally to reduce the carbon footprint, among other actions; How is your company helping to protect nature and support cultural heritage? (examples might include partnering with conservation groups to protect endangered species or promoting the sale of indigenous handicrafts in hotel gift shops); How does your company benefit local communities in the destinations where you operate? I look for a strong commitment to hiring locally, based on fair wages and benefits, especially for women, or funding for community development initiatives such as clean drinking water and primary health care. A decade ago, companies would struggle to answer these questions. Not any more. Today, the world is filled with travel companies committed to doing well by doing good. If a company cannot answer the three questions above in a convincing way, then move on to a travel company or hotel that can.

You have talked about ‘flying green class’ as an important goal, what else should we be focusing on?

Never buy wildlife products as souvenirs anywhere when traveling, whether they are being legally sold or not. Just say no, period. The trade in wildlife products is decimating species around the world. When the buying stops, the killing will stop.

Which of your many titles – Ecotourism Pioneer, Sustainable Visionary, Award-Winning Writer – are you most proud of?

If I can make a contribution to help heal and protect our planet, provide help to someone in need, and inspire others to travel in a responsible way to support these goals, then that is what matters the most to me.

Re-connecting through travel has become an important experience driver, where are your top must go-to destinations to achieve this?

Colombia ranks high on my list – 1 out of every 10 species on the planet is found in Colombia, making it a biodiversity bonanza of life, from snow capped peaks to white sand beaches. It is also a country of great cultural diversity and the Colombian people are a fun loving crowd who like to wine and dine late into the night. Another go to place for me is the tiny country of Belize – home to the second largest barrier reef in the world – a marine Serengeti of colorful corals, rainbows of fish and tropical islands surrounded by blue sky waters. Just writing this makes me want to go!

You love to discover the world through travel, who would you most like to take on a journey and where would you go?

When I was 19 years old, I met a fellow traveler named Sally. We were both heading to Central America to learn Spanish. We became friends, then traveling companions and eventually a romantic couple. We got married with a shared passion to explore the world. Sally continues to be the person I would most like to take on a journey. In this instance, I would pick two places to go – Ashford Castle nestled in the lush countryside of Ireland is nothing short of spectacular and Red Carnation Hotels who operate it are passionate believers in travel as a force for good. My other choice would be Three Camel Lodge in Mongolia – an authentic ecolodge in a country filled with wide open spaces and rich cultural heritage. Nearly a third of Mongolians still travel by horseback as their primary way to get around.

You have talked with Harrison Ford, Francis Ford Coppola and many others; is there anyone you would love to interview?

Leonardo DiCaprio. I would love to talk with him about how to create true ecotourism at the resort he is building in Belize and about his ongoing work to address climate change. He is a great actor but many people do not know that he is also a great conservationist.

Who or what inspires you?

The Dalai Lama inspires me with his rigorous intellect and his deep sense of concern for others. And in terms of what inspires me, I have always found solace in nature – whether a stroll in a city park or a hike in the hills – nature provides healing energy.

Do you have a favourite place to stay or somewhere you go to recharge?

When not traveling, I live on an organic farm in New England and that is my refuge. I would not want to be anywhere else in the world during the summer growing season. Farming brings harmony to my life, connects me with the Earth and surrounds me with the magic of creation – from a tiny seed tucked into the soil an abundance unfolds in a bounty of fruits and vegetables.

Where is next on your travel list?

I would like to go to Chad to visit Zakouma National Park. A friend of mine who has been a safari guide in Africa for some 25 years told me it is one of the most amazing wildlife spectacles he has ever witnessed, with elephant herds almost too numerous to count. And I am always ready to go to Greece – the northern mountains around Zagori are other-worldly and the Greek islands…swimming, hiking, olives and ouzo. Well, you get the idea. Opa!

About Costas Christ

Costas Christ is one of the world’s top sustainable travel experts, whose work has taken him to more than 130 countries across six continents. As the Founder and CEO of Beyond Green Travel, Costas was honored together with Conservationist Dr. Jane Goodall, Oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle, and CNN Founder Ted Turner for his lifelong work to save the planet. The International Hotel and Restaurant Awards recognized him as a Global Travel Visionary and NBC News said: “For the past 30 years, Costas Christ been at the leading edge of the green travel movement, since way before it was ever called green or even a movement.” Costas is the lead author of Tourism and Biodiversity (UNEP 2003), and a contributing author to Wilderness: Earth’s Last Wild Places (CI 2004), Transboundary Conservation (CEMEX 2005) and Echoes of Bhutan (Schaffer, 2017). An award-winning travel writer for National Geographic, his stories and essays have also appeared in the New York Times, Boston Globe, and Sunday Times of London. His television and radio appearances include Travel Channel, Good Morning America, BBC World, CNN International, National Geographic Channel, and National Public Radio. 

Australia

The bunny is well-known animal associated with Easter celebrations and whilst Australians typically celebrate Easter like most other countries, they replace the Easter bunny for their native bilby which is an endangered species. This tradition came about in a bid to raise awareness and bilbies have become a symbol of Easter in Australia.

Discover the vast and unique wildlife with our Explore Australia’s Wild Side holiday, perfect for all the family.

France

From chocolate eggs to chicken eggs. In the town of Bessières, thousands of people gather on the morning of Easter Monday to cook a giant omelette usually with around 15,000 eggs and 40 cooks. For those celebrating at home, the whole family comes together to breaks eggs in their homes, sharing the omelette for lunch and maybe even dinner as well.

If this has inspired you to discover more French traditions and countryside, explore our Taste of France itinerary.

Norway

Nordic countries are known for their epic crime dramas which have garnered international appeal so this unexpected Easter tradition perhaps should have been more expected. In Norway, the nation immerses themselves into crime drama books, with longer than most, a five day Easter celebration that includes reading their favourite “Påskekrims” or page-turner, alongside their traditional Kvikk Lunsj chocolate.

If you’re drawn to the thrill of Norway, perhaps 48 hours in Bergen is one trip for your list.

USA

Dating back to 1878, the Easter Egg Roll event takes place on the grounds of the White House with families coming together on Easter Monday to enjoy games, live entertainment and story time. The public can enter a ballot for their chance to win a ‘golden’ ticket to attend the event which is organised by the First Lady. Each year the White House create commemorative eggs, for 2002 these come in spring colours of blue, pink, gold, green and yellow. Whilst this year’s event has been cancelled as results of the global pandemic, you can watch highlights from 2019’s White House Easter Egg Roll.

When visiting Washington, the home of the White House a stay at the Hay Adams is must. 

Hungary

Historically an Easter tradition in Hungary was to sprinkle girls and women with water as they used to believe in the cleaning and fertility benefits of water. Women and girls would dress up traditionally outfits and wait for the men and boys to come with a “sprinkle poem”, if this was well-received the man would then pour a bucket of water, usually cold so that they would scream. Today, this tradition has evolved to a sprinkle of perfume or cologne in the woman’s hair – a lot more pleasant we imagine. Whilst this tradition is less common in Hungary’s bigger cities, men are expected to still read a sprinkle poem to their female relatives.

If you’ve dreamed of visiting Hungary, discover the capital, Budapest with a stay at the Four Seasons Budapest.

UK

Celebrating Easter in the UK traditionally includes some themed games including egg decorating, egg and spoon races and the most-loved Easter Egg Hunt where chocolate eggs or bunnies are hidden around the home and garden, with whoever finds the most crowned the winner. Other traditions in the UK include the English folk dance that dates back to the Middle Ages, Morris dancing is where men dress up in costumes with bells and coloured ribbons and dance through the streets with small sticks which they clap along in tune. Originally this also included one of the dancers sticks to hold a pigs bladder, his job was to hit young women on the head as sign of good luck – thankfully this part of the tradition no longer continues today.

If an escape to the countryside is calling, we love Linthwaite House which is set atop a hill in the scenic town of Windemere, located in the Lake District National Park. 

Peru

Pascua is widely celebrated in Latin America with most of the population being catholic and celebrations lasting a week, from Domingo de Ramos (Palm Sunday) and ending on Domingo de Pascua (Easter Sunday). In Peru, Semana Santa (the Holy Week) sees the ancient Inca capital come alive with colour as hundreds dressed in vibrant fabrics fill the streets on Easter Monday to honour the city’s protector, Señor de los Temblores, a black Christ who is situated on Cusco Cathedral in Cusco. A figure of Christ is created for a procession where they replace his crown of thorns with a flower crown made of ñucchu, a peruvian red flower. Families all across the country create ñucchu flower crowns which are offered to the gods during the Easter ceremony.

The allure of Peru is hard to ignore, this two-week adventure in the amazon will see you experience the countries dazzling culture.

India

With a small percentage (just 2.3%) of India’s population being of Christian religion, the state of Goa is one of the best Easter destinations in India to celebrate as it was a Portugal colony in pre-Independent India. Festivities include street plays, dances and the tradition of baking Easter cakes to be shared amongst friends and family – and it wouldn’t be an Indian holiday without colour, and lots of it. Brightly coloured lanterns are exchanged during Easter as well as the Holy Cross.

Inspired by the vibrant charm of India, our Golden Triangle trip encompasses the very best the country.